Alex knocked on the door of the hut. It was pretty rundown. It wasn't in a state that anyone should be living in it, but there was smoke coming from the chimney, so someone must've been home.
It had a thatched roof that was covered in moss and vines, and it sagged in the middle. The windows were dark and covered in soot or grime and couldn't be seen through.
The door opened and revealed a kindly old lady. "Come in, dearies. I didn't expect to have guests, or I would've cleaned up the place."
The inside was disorienting to walk into. It was far bigger on the inside than the outside. It was no Ludos' mansion, but it was nice.
The inside resembled a two story house about eight times the size of the one on the outside. There was a cozy fire going in the fireplace. It had interior lighting. They were the new LED bulbs that ran on less electricity.
It had a modern kitchen with an electric stove, dishwasher, and toaster oven. It even had a microwave. The outside made it look like they were in the middle ages, but the inside looked like regular old modern day Earth.
Alex was impressed. This witch knew how to live life. The outside must've been to just scare off guests or something.
"Sorry, we're not from around here. This probably isn't going to make any sense, but what year is it? What planet are we even on? Is this Earth?" Alex said.
"No, it makes perfect sense," the old woman said. "Lets sit down before we chat, but first, can I get you a cup of tea? Coffee? Beer? Wine? Liquor? Bubbazub? Beetlebop? Slurp?" She would've kept going but Alex motioned for her to stop with his hands.
"Hold on, Slurp? Bubbazub? Beetlebop?" Alex said.
"Yes," the old woman said, like the words he just spoke were the most ordinary things a person could say. Like saying MD Pepper or Bepsi.
"I'm just going to process that like it's normal and move forward. I'll try a Slurp please. Is it alcoholic?" Alex said.
"No, but it'll get you going if you know what I mean," the old lady said.
"No, I really don't," Alex said, confused.
"You will," the old lady smiled gently. She handed Alex an unopened bottle of a glowing green beverage.
"Oh, is it twist off?" Alex said, trying to twist the cap off the bottle. "Ow! It most certainly is not a twist off." Alex shook his hand out to reduce some of the pain.
"There's a bottle opener on the table," the old lady said, still smiling.
"Why didn't I notice that before? Ouchies," Alex said, nursing his hand.
"Oh, man up will you. It can't be that bad," Sophia said.
"Just because I am a man doesn't mean I have to act like one," Alex said. He took one sip of the Slurp and stood up straighter and stopped whining about his hand. "Yeah, I guess it wasn't so bad. I feel great."
"Of course you do, sonny. You're drinking Slurp," She slapped her knee and laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. Then she looked at Sophia and said, "Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? Beer-"
"No, I'm fine," Sophia said.
"Ok, now that we're all settled. My name is Gertrude, but you can call me Gertie," she smiled.
"Gertie?" Alex said. "You look younger. Healthier."
"Thank you. I am healthier. Not younger, but healthier. It's been a while, sonny. Although, I suppose it hasn't been that long for you."
"No, it hasn't. It's been about a week for me. But how can you recognize me? I was in someone else's body at the time we met," Alex said.
"You look the same now as you did then," Gertie said.
"Huh. Must've been some sort of alternate universe version of myself then. Interesting. How are you here?" Alex said.
"Oh, it's a long story, and I don't want to bore you. We'll save it for another day. Thank you for taking care of those Purple Platypuses for me. I owe you one," Gertie said. "Now what can I do for you?"
"No problem. I couldn't have let them kill you. That wouldn't have been right," Alex said. "Well, we're kind of looking for something called a dimensional core."
"A dimensional core, huh? You realize those are the things that hold up the dimensions?"
"I mean, that makes sense. Does that mean removing it is going to make the entire dimension collapse?" Alex said.
"Not necessarily. If you removed all of them, yes, but one will probably only cause glitches," Gertie said.
"That doesn't sound so scary," Alex said.
"It isn't. It's just one day you might wake up and the brand new fridge you traveled through three dimensions to get has been replaced by an ice chest. An ice chest! Like the thing you use to keep your drinks cold," Gertie said.
"Why does this sound like it comes from personal experience?" Alex said.
"An ice chest," Gertie pretends to break down in tears. "But seriously, it's not that big of a deal."
Gertie leaned in and whispered, "What's a big deal is how dangerous it usually is to get a dimensional core."
"I see," Alex whispered back. "Well, do you know where the one we're looking for is?"
"I do. It's in a cave at the bottom of the cliff. But I have to warn you, there are powerful beasts guarding it. It ain't called the Valley of Death for nothing," Gertie whispered.
"Ok, I'll keep that in mind," Alex whispered. "Well, it was nice catching up with you, Gertie, but I think it's time we hit the road."
"Why are we whispering?" Sophia whispered.
"Oh, no reason," Gertie said. "I just thought it would make my words seem more dramatic."
"Well, it worked," Alex said, still whispering.
"You don't have to keep doing it, sonny. The moment has passed," Gertie said.
"I know, but it's kind of addicting. I think I may do it all day," Alex continued whispering.
"You better not," Sophia said. "Or I'll kick your ass."
"Ok, stopping. I like my ass as it is," Alex said. "Un-kicked."
"It was nice to meet you, maam," Sophia said, shaking Gertie's hand. "Now, we really must be going before the aliens beat us to it."
Alex hugged Gertie good-bye, took one step towards the door, and face planted onto the ground.